The Numbers app needs to be fixed.

Question

The Numbers app needs to be fixed.

I would like to know why the most recent Numbers update has removed its intuitive color selection feature.

Previously, you could use the Dropper tool to select any color on the sheet, which would then automatically be added to the bank of up to five custom colors, visible under the spectrum selector. This enabled you to adjust the hue and vibracy of any custom color using the slider bars immediately upon its addition. This was extremely helpful for being able to use the same custom colors through a sheet, rather than having to manually recreate them.

Now, once you use the Dropper to select a color, it is not added to the custom color bank at all, and you are unable to adjust the hue and vibrancy whatsoever. If you try to adjust the slider bars, the custom color is immediately switched the black and you must manually select your color from the spectrum if you hope to recreate something similar to the original custom color. Only then is the custom color saved to the bank of five.

I sincerely hope this feature is put back to normal because it was so brilliantly intuitive and to me represented Apple’s dedication to not overlooking even the smallest detail.

Posted on Feb 3, 2026 1:37 PM

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Answer 1

Badunit

Level 7

30,732 points

Feb 3, 2026 2:29 PM in response to SmallWonderz69

What version of Numbers? In 14.5 it goes into the large color well next to the dropper and the adjustments are applied there. Once you have what you want you can drag it to the 4x10 grid of saved custom colors. I think that is how it has always worked. I am not ready to install version 15.1 yet to see what they changed (or broke) in that version.

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Answer 2

Feb 3, 2026 2:54 PM in response to Badunit

Yes that’s exactly what I mean. Do not update your version if you like the custom color tool. I updated to 15.1 and that is when the issue started. I’m not sure what you’re referring to by a 4x10 custom color grid, I’ve only had access to up to 5. I’ve included a screenshot of the problem on my end for further clarity.

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Answer 3

Badunit

Level 7

30,732 points

Feb 3, 2026 5:27 PM in response to SmallWonderz69

I was referring to MacOS Numbers. I do not use the iOS version. Sorry, it was not clear to me which device you were using.

I have 15.1 on an iPhone but the cell color stuff I'm looking at looks nothing like what you posted. I guess it is different on an iPad or maybe on a newer phone than I have. For what you posted, I'd expect the color you selected with dropper (the dropper at the top right) to appear on the dropper-in-a-circle icon at the bottom left, you would adjust it there, and then you would drag it over to one of those circles to the right of it to save it. But I would also exxpect if a cell is selected that it would start with the cell's background color without having to use the dropper to select a color.

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